^

Original-Research: Multitude SE - from NuWays AG

15.11.2024 / 09:06 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS

Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The

result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an

invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Classification of NuWays AG to Multitude SE

Company Name: Multitude SE

ISIN: MT0002810100

Reason for the research: Update

Recommendation: Buy

from: 15.11.2024

Target price: EUR 12.00

Target price on sight of: 12 months

Last rating change:

Analyst: Frederik Jarchow

Q3 with improved profitability // FY24 guidance confirmed; chg

Topic: Multitude reported a strong set of Q3 figures with improved

bottom-line and confirmed its FY24 EBIT guidance. Further, the company

announced to continue with a new CEO from FY25 onwards and provided a

guidance for FY25. In detail:

Interest income increased to EUR 65.1m (11% yoy, 1% qoq vs eNuW: EUR 68.3m),

thanks to strong growth in the SME banking to EUR 8.6m (4% qoq, 46% yoy, vs

eNuW: EUR 8.3m) and in the Wholesale Banking to EUR 3.5m (25% qoq, 152% yoy, vs

eNuW: EUR 2.8m). Consumer Banking topline improved only slightly by 4% yoy to

EUR 52.9m. The net loan book (NAR - including debt investments of EUR 101m) grew

to EUR 726m (4% qoq, 24% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 720m).

EBIT jumped to EUR 18.9m (13% qoq, 57% yoy), mainly driven by credit losses

that decreased further to only EUR 21.5m (-10% qoq, 3% yoy, vs eNuW: EUR 26.6m)

or 33% of sales, while S&M, personnel and other operating expenses remained

stable. With interested expenses raising to EUR 12.8m (12% qoq, 99% yoy, eNuW:

EUR 9.6m), we should have seen the peak here for the moment, expecting lower

relative levels going forward. Still, EBT of EUR 6.2m (15% qoq, -2% yoy) is in

line with expectations (eNuW: EUR 6.6m), carried by the lower credit losses.

Overall, Multitude delivered another strong quarter thanks to further

significant improvements in the risk management, visible in declining credit

losses paired with ongoing tight cost control stabilizing OPEX. On the back

of the 1) strong NAR over all segments, 2) credit losses to remain on

moderate levels and 3) ongoing tight cost control, we see further meaningful

EBIT improvements. Hence, the confirmed EBIT guidance of EUR 67.5m looks

achievable. As interest expenses should have peaked in Q3, the newly

introduced net profit guidance for FY25 of 23m looks achievable as well

(eNuW: EUR 24.5m). Further, CEO and founder Jorma Jokela decided to step down

as CEO of the Group at year end to focus i.e. on M&A and hand over to Antti

Kuplainen (currently CEO of Multitude Bank) - a sensible move in our view.

For a growing, highly profitable, resilient and dividend paying company 4.6x

PEŽ25 looks dirt cheap. Consequently, we reiterate BUY with an unchanged PT

of EUR 12, based on our residual income model. Multitude remains a NuWays

Alpha pick.

You can download the research here: http://www.more-ir.de/d/31319.pdf

For additional information visit our website: www.nuways-ag.com/research

Contact for questions:

NuWays AG - Equity Research

Web: www.nuways-ag.com

Email: research@nuways-ag.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuwaysag

Adresse: Mittelweg 16-17, 20148 Hamburg, Germany

++++++++++

Diese Meldung ist keine Anlageberatung oder Aufforderung zum Abschluss

bestimmter Börsengeschäfte.

Offenlegung möglicher Interessenskonflikte nach § 85 WpHG beim oben

analysierten Unternehmen befinden sich in der vollständigen Analyse.

++++++++++

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,

Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

2030703 15.11.2024 CET/CEST

°